[Illustrated letter from William Orpen to Mr Gore with a sketch of the artist painting and another of Mrs St George at a dinner party]

Title Translation

Description

Handwritten letter on 8, South Bolton Gardens headed paper in which Orpen writes to Mr Gore apologising for not being able to go to lunch with him as he has some work he must do. To the left of the text is a sketch of the artist working at his easle and below is another sketch of Mrs St George having dinner with three men one of whom is her husband whom Orpen has drawn showing his back.

Collection

Graves Collection of William Orpen Letters

Date

5th June 1909

Physical Description

25 x 20.3 cm.

Media

Ink and chalk on paper

Provenance

Presented by Mrs Vivien Graves to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1974.

Notes

Access

By appointment only

Rights

Private Collection

Item Type

Illustrated letter

Location

Prints & Drawings Department

Store

Publication Info.

I hope the manager of the Ritz won't think badly of the writing - and complain of you having
letters like these sent to you there
5th June 1909
My dear Mr. Gore. I did not realize
yesterday that you were asking me
to lunch - many thanks - and regrets
that I cannot go - I have some work
I must do - forgive the drawing - I
would have drawn Mr. St George
front view only I was afraid of
hurting his feelings. and after
the perfection of his display yesterday
I must be careful Yours very sincerely
William Orpen

Orpen, Sir William, 1878-1931

Sir William Orpen, Irish artist, born in Dublin, Orpen trained at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art before moving to London to study at the Slade School of Fine Art. He remained in London and became a highly successful portrait and subject painter. Appointed Official War Artist in 1917, Orpen left for France and was stationed at Amiens and the Somme Battlefields. He returned to London after the war and remained there until his death.